Pope removes Canadian bishop accused of abuse

BAIE-COMEAU (CANADA)
ANSA - Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata [Rome, Italy]

February 18, 2025

Msgr Jean-Pierre Blais accused of being sex predator in Quebec

Pope Francis on Tuesday removed a Canadian bishop accused of sexual abuse of children in Quebec.

Despite being hospitalized at Rome’s Policlinico Agostino Gemelli Hospital and having his therapy changed due to a complex clinical picture, Francis is continuing to carry out his duties of governing the Church.

The Pontiff has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Baie-Comeau, in Canada, presented by Monsignor Jean-Pierre Blais, Vatican sources said.

Blais, 75, is mentioned in a list of sexual predators filed as part of a victims’ class action against the Archdiocese of Quebec.

Francis has therefore appointed as bishop of Baie-Comeau Father Pierre Charland, until now provincial minister of the Franciscans of Canada.

https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2025/02/18/pope-removes-canadian-bishop-accused-of-abuse_e9e33508-57da-4076-8b95-51d0e4794274.html